Posts: 44
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2011
Reputation:
0
Taking my first trip to FL this weekend and have never fished for Splake before. I was hoping I could reach out to the BFT community and ask for some tips on how to land some of these beauties. I just don't know if they have the same habits as rainbows or are they more like lake trout? I have heard that they tend to be deeper and like chartreuse colored plastics and lures. Are they usually on the bottom or are they somewhere in the middle of the water column? Are they all over the lake or are they more readily found on the northern part? What has been your guys experience?
[signature]
Posts: 470
Threads: 4
Joined: Feb 2011
Reputation:
0
I am not an expert, but here is what I have found....
Seems like if you fish deeper water, the rainbows are suspended 16-20 ft down. When I am trying to target the splake, most I catch are in deeper water (50-60 ft), down toward the bottom or right on the bottom. I have caught lots on white tubes, glow tubes, and chartruse power nymphs.
We always catch some with our perch rigs too (in shallow water) when they come in to chase perch. I usually fish the east side of the lake BTW.
[signature]
Posts: 89
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2013
Reputation:
0
Hookin up gave some solid advice. Most of the Splake I've landed have been from deeper water--45-60'. Although, you will find them swimming with the Rainbows.
Use a chunk of Perch meat attached to your bait. I like to use 3" white pearl tubes with some cut bait.
Hope you can land some nice ones!
[signature]
Posts: 146
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Last year when we were there catching perch in about 20ft of water, we noticed splake swimming only a few feet under the ice. Whenever we would reel up and fish just under the ice we would get one.
[signature]
Posts: 2,505
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
1
I have consistently caught splake well using perch meat on a white jig of several designs. I'm partial to the maniac "predator" color ice cutters for splake. We catch more bows tipping with mealies or waxies and splake like the perch. Chartreuse can work well too.
RE:"Are they all over the lake or are they more readily found on the northern part?"
My friends and I have fished only the South end this year and the splake have been down from what we usually expect. Tons of bows though.
[signature]
Posts: 552
Threads: 32
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
5
Fished north end last weekend caught a few splake in 30ft depths. Fishing for perch with perch meat as mentioned. Paddlebugs and a glow Ratso. Caught quite a few bows and one pup lake trout as well. Lost two big fish to bite offs after a few minutes of rod bending and drag screaming. Might have been tiger muskies but more likely lakers. I was finding larger perch out in those depths. School would come in pick off a few then school would move. Trout were following the school around. Fish were around 15ft deep in 30ft. Saturday was the best day.
[signature]
Posts: 44
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2011
Reputation:
0
I appreciate all the tips and the feedback, and thank you for the fishing report. What is the easiest way to get to the east side of the lake? Access it from the north end or south end of the lake?
[signature]
Posts: 15,539
Threads: 1,315
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
13
It is a much shorter hike to the east side on the north end of the lake.
[signature]
Posts: 3,085
Threads: 22
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
12
[quote sdcfan]What is the easiest way to get to the east side of the lake? Access it from the north end or south end of the lake?[/quote]
[quote kentofnsl]It is a much shorter hike to the east side on the north end of the lake.[/quote]
Unless, of course, you are trying to get to the southeast side!
sdcfan -- you need to decide which area of the east side you want to fish: north, south, or middle. Fish Lake is nearly 5 miles long.
the north end (Pelican point) has a narrower neck, but you may have to walk further up the shoreline to find yourself a spot to fish -- depending on other anglers.
the south end has a bit wider crossing, but much more area to fish, depending on what you are looking for. This end, out from the bathrooms, is known as the "cheese hole" and is a very popular fishing area.
The difference between the west and east sides of the lake are simple. The shoreline on the east side drops off to deep water much faster than the west side. This makes it easier for anglers to stay close to the weed bed (25') but fish deep water (80') at the same time. You can be within 15 yards of the weeds and still fish deep at the same time on the east side. The west side has a more gradual decent to deep water.
My advice, especially for a newbie to the lake, would be to find a spot that looks like it has not been fished hard already. You can find them on the west side too. Go fish there.
[signature]
Posts: 3,327
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2011
Reputation:
0
I would go to the Twin Creek inlet and use sucker meat. It has never failed me!
[signature]
Posts: 44
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2011
Reputation:
0
I'll be staying in the cabins by Twin Creeks, so that should work nicely. However, I have heard the ice is sketchy around the inlet, can this be confirmed?
Thanks PBH for the tips. I'll be taking down a 4 wheeler so I definitely will try the east side.
[signature]
Posts: 3,085
Threads: 22
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
12
[quote sdcfan]I'll be staying in the cabins by Twin Creeks, so that should work nicely.[/quote]
I would recommend walking down in front of the lodge, and finding a nice spot south of the marina. That's an area we really like to fish. There is a nice stretch that doesn't get a ton of pressure between the lodge and all the parking areas from the highway.
[quote sdcfan]However, I have heard the ice is sketchy around the inlet, can this be confirmed?
... I'll be taking down a 4 wheeler so I definitely will try the east side.[/quote]
hmmm.....something doesn't jive here! I would urge caution crossing the lake on an ATV -- make sure you are crossing at either of the ends, or where you have watched others cross. As for the ice around Twin Creeks -- of course it will be sketchy (and open) at the mouth of the creek. Just don't get too close to open water near the inlet and you should be OK. But, please, please, please watch the ice anywhere on the lake. Heading out towards deeper would should be done so cautiously -- especially when crossing large cracks or pressure ridges. Make sure you check the thickness of the ice when crossing!
[signature]
Posts: 44
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2011
Reputation:
0
I hear you, I'm as cautious as they come. If I venture east I would just hug the southern shoreline where I know its safe. So do you not use snow machines to access the east side of the lake? If you foot it then I tip my hat to you, seems like quite the journey.
[signature]
Posts: 3,085
Threads: 22
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
12
we hike when we head across, at least in January. By mid February or March, I'm not too worried about taking an ATV all over the ice. But this year is different than others -- still open water on the lake.
We stopped using ATV's on early ice years ago. Never felt like we've needed them since then.
[signature]
Posts: 2,505
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
1
We always walk too from the South end. It isn't usually too bad except when the wind blows all the snow to the East and piles it up on the Eastside ice. Ugh.
[signature]
Posts: 484
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
Personally, I wouldn't put my wheeler on the ice at Fish Lake this year (at least if it doesn't get any colder) We were on 8" ice over 55' of water Saturday between Lakeside and the Lodge. We moved into the weedline and the ice was only 4" thick there. Made me shudder to think of all the machines buzzing around. Like PBH said...be careful!
[signature]
|
